By Frosts Timber & Building Supplies
LVL — Laminated Veneer Lumber — has become one of the most common engineered timber products on Australian building sites, and for good reason. Wherever a beam needs to span further, carry more, or sit straighter than solid timber can manage, LVL is usually the answer.
At Frosts Timber & Building Supplies in Monegeetta, we stock LVL for builders, tradies and owner-builders across the Macedon Ranges and greater Melbourne. In this guide, we explain what LVL actually is, what it’s used for, and how it compares to solid timber and plywood.
LVL is an engineered wood product made by bonding thin timber veneers together under heat and pressure. Most veneers run along the member, while some products include cross-banded veneers. The layup and structural properties are specific to the manufacturer and product.
LVL is used where predictable strength, stiffness and dimensional stability are important. Use the specified product, current manufacturer span tables and the project engineering to select a member.
LVL turns up in most parts of a modern timber-framed build — here’s where we see it used most.
Engineered beams and bearers sized for the required span, loads, support conditions and exposure.
Lintels over windows and doors, selected to the required engineering specification and support details.
Rafters and roof beams where the specified LVL product suits the span, loads and exposure.
Some LVL products are manufactured specifically for scaffold planks or formwork. General structural LVL must not be substituted for a scaffold plank unless the product is approved for that application.
Compared with solid timber: LVL distributes natural timber defects through its veneer construction, giving more predictable structural properties. Capacity still depends on the product grade, member size, supports and loads.
Compared with plywood: plywood generally alternates veneer direction to suit sheet applications. Most LVL veneers run along the member; some products include cross-bands. Use the manufacturer’s published properties for the product being specified.
A few things to check before you order:
Span and load – LVL is sized to the job from engineer’s span tables, not picked off the shelf by eye.
Depth and width – common LVL sizes range from around 150mm up to 600mm deep, in various widths, cut to length.
Exposure – standard LVL is designed for protected, internal use; anything exposed to the weather needs an appropriately treated or rated product.
Compliance – LVL used structurally should match what’s specified on the engineering plans (AS 1720 governs timber structural design in Australia).
Ask your builder, architect or engineer to specify the required LVL size and grade. Once you have the specification, Frosts can check product availability and pricing.
Frosts Timber & Building Supplies is a second-generation, family-owned business based at 8 Sawmill Ln, Monegeetta — supplying builders, tradies and owner-builders across the Macedon Ranges, Sunbury and greater Melbourne.
What you’ll find with us:
LVL in a range of common structural sizes, cut to length
The rest of your framing timber and building supplies in one visit
Local knowledge from a team that talks to builders every day
Competitive pricing on trade quantities
Whether you’re spanning a beam, framing an opening or ordering scaffold planks, Frosts is a one-stop shop for LVL and everything else that goes with it.
LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber) is used for structural beams, bearers, lintels over openings, rafters and roof framing, and scaffold planks — anywhere a straight, reliable, long-spanning piece of timber is needed.
LVL is generally more consistent and predictable than solid timber of the same size, because its manufacturing process spreads natural defects across many thin veneers. This often allows longer spans and higher loads for a given depth than an equivalent sawn timber beam.
LVL is commonly available in depths from around 150mm up to 600mm, in a range of widths, and can be cut to length to suit your project.
Yes — Frosts Timber & Building Supplies stocks LVL at our Monegeetta yard, servicing the Macedon Ranges, Sunbury and greater Melbourne.
LVL has earned its place on Australian building sites by doing one job very well: spanning further and carrying more than solid timber, with far less risk of warping or twisting along the way. Have your builder, architect or engineer specify the required product, size and grade. Frosts Timber & Building Supplies in Monegeetta can then assist with product information, availability and pricing against that specification.
LVL beams, bearers, lintels & rafters available to enquire about. Call with the size and grade specified by your builder, architect or engineer to check stock and pricing.
Servicing Sunbury, Gisborne, Romsey & the Macedon Ranges.
Visit our Monegeetta yard
Speak directly with our team
Trade & bulk orders welcome
Call Frosts on (03) 5428 5156 with your material list, dimensions, quantity and timeframe. The team can check current stock and match available products to your specification.
For an outdoor project, explore sand and soil for pickup. For related reading, see our framing, LVL and hardware guides.
